Unit 59. It's Fun, Isn't It?

Important for listening! When we agree with the other person, our voice often goes down at
the end. We tell the other person our opinion, confident they will not
be upset.Listen to this conversation. Notice that the voices go down at the end of each line.

A: Football's so boring, isn't it? B: Yeah, I know. I hate it. A: I mean, it's just 22 people running after a ball. B: Yeah, how can that be interesting? A: No, golf's much more fun, isn't it?

Note: The expression isn't it? is called a question tag. When we use question tags to tell someone our opinion, the voice goes down at the end.

Important for listening! But when we disagree, our voice often goes up at the end, so our
opinion sounds unfinished and less strong, because we do not want to
upset the other person.Listen to the rest of the conversation from A. Notice how the voices go up at the end of each line. B: Well ... A: You like golf, don't you? B: It's alright I suppose ... A: You don't sound very sure. B: Well, I guess I'm not really sporting person, you know.

Note: The expression don't you? is a question tag. When we use question tags to check information, the voice goes up at the end.

Important for listening! We can say the same sentence, but change the meaning by changing how
we say it. Listen to these two examples. The speaker in 1 is telling
his opinion clearly. The speaker in 2 is leaving something unsaid. You
feel he is going to continue with but..